Friday, January 14, 2011

M Is for Magic, by Neil Gaiman

My first foray into Gaiman's short stories. Some are better than others
("Chivalry", "The Price", and "October in the Chair" are particularly
enjoyable), but all are entertaining. He is rapidly becoming one of my
all-time favorite authors, and I will most definitely be devouring any
and all Gaiman literature I can get my hands on.

Fair warning though--this collection is not quite as lighthearted as
the title makes it seem. Many of these 'magical' stories have slightly
dark, unnerving quality that would not be out of place in a volume of
Hartwell's The Dark Descent,
and the book is, quite appropriately, dedicated to Ray Bradbury. Then,
too, most of the stories are more about the journey than the
destination. They're not long on plot. So if you prefer the tighter,
more efficient short story, full of action and activity, this may not be
the collection for you. But if you're willing to just relish the
flavor and texture of the stories and soak up the slightly eerie
atmosphere painted by Gaiman's rather prodigious wordsmithery, then I
suggest you give this book a try. Preferably in audiobook form, since
Gaiman's slow British drawl is a perfect complement for the slightly
unsettling nature of these magical tales.

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About the Blogger

Alexis Neal has been an avid reader since her childhood (Thanks, Mom!) and welcomes any excuse to read. She and her husband currently live in Washington, D.C., where she works as an attorney (when she’s not curled up with a good book, of course). She also reviews books for Thomas Nelson and Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their blogger programs. In addition to this lovely blog, her reviews can also be found at Children's Books and Reviews and Schaeffer's Ghost.